Vietnamese leader To Lam embarked on his first official overseas trip since taking office about two weeks ago, heading to China for a three-day visit. Lam’s arrival in Guangzhou, a key industrial and export hub near Hong Kong, was confirmed by Chinese state media. Lam’s itinerary included visits to historical sites related to former Vietnamese communist leader Ho Chi Minh in the southern Chinese city. The state-owned Global Times newspaper shared details of his visit on social media.

During his visit, Lam is scheduled to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and other high-ranking officials. Lam assumed the position of general secretary of Vietnam’s Communist Party on August 3, following the passing of Nguyen Phu Trong, who held the position for 13 years. Additionally, Lam has held the role of Vietnam’s president since May.

Experts anticipate that Lam will continue his predecessor’s approach of maintaining a delicate balance in relations with China, the United States, and Russia. According to Yu Xiangdong, director of the Institute for Vietnam Studies at Zhengzhou University, Lam’s choice to visit China first indicates Vietnam’s significant emphasis on its relationship with China. However, Yu noted that Vietnam will also maintain its ties with the United States.

Despite being one-party communist states, Vietnam and China have had disputes over territorial claims in the South China Sea. Recently, a Vietnamese coast guard ship participated in joint drills in the Philippines, a country that has faced conflicts with China over disputed territories in the region. Furthermore, China briefly invaded parts of northern Vietnam in 1979.

On the economic front, Vietnam has reaped benefits from Chinese investment, as several Chinese manufacturers have relocated their production to Vietnam to circumvent US trade restrictions on exports from China, particularly in industries like solar panels.